Fluid charge dispenser



July 7, 1959 ca. E. FRANCK' FLUID CHARGE DISPENSER 5 6 r W 2 m w w /2 wm d b m m ,c ahvxkax 2211 m M mam v 17D x m\\\\\ m f m a m 1 MW m H 7 fi m m 5 a d n 22 WW E h 16b 0 Q3 30a 30a 35 INVENTOR. Ge r 951 7 127242,

- 7 I M Q W United States Patent 2,893,603 FLUID CHARGE DISPENSER George E. Franck, Riverside, Ill., assignor to The I mperial Brass Manufacturing Company, a corporation of Illinois Application January 31, 1955, Serial No. 485,019 7 Claims. (Cl. 222-83) This invention relates to a fluid charge dispenser and, in particular, to a dispensing apparatus adapted for use with a hermetically sealed pressurized fluid containing receptacle. 7

Where it is desirable to obtain small quantities of fluids from hermetically sealed containers holding such fluids under pressure, it is necessary to provide tapping means adapted to open the container, generally'by perforating it, and connect a discharge tube thereto having a shut off valve at the other end. The fluid is then discharged in -the quantities desired by manually controlling the discharge valve. It is often diflicult to obtain an accurate quantity in this manner and in certain cases, such as where noxious or poisonous substances are dispensed, such manual control involves an undesirable handling.

Further, the means for perforating the containers generally found in the art are not adapted for ready attachment to containers such as those having a cover secured to the container body by folding the edges of the cover and the container body adjacent inwardly onto themselves. Means now generally found in the art for pressing the piercing element through the container wall to tap it include handles disposed axially to the piercing element and requiring non-axial discharge passages which, it has been found, impede the discharge flow. The means for sealing the dispensing apparatus to the container around the perforation made by the piercing means generally require separate installation before the dispensing apparatus is secured to the receptacle and often are not reuseable, thereby requiring new seals whenever the dispenser is transferred from one container to another.

The principal object of my invention, therefore, is to provide a new and improved fluid charge dispenser which may be readily attached to a hermetically sealed container holding fluid under positive pressure, having means to. perforate the container, and through suitable valve means co-operating with a' discharge line shut-off valve, dispense measured quantities of the fluid tapped and drawn from the container. i g Another objectof the invention 'is to provide a fluid charge dispenser having securing means provided with flange and bail means securely but removably to attach the dispenser to a projecting lip of such a container.

Still another object; of the invention is to providea fluid charge dispenser having securing means of the character above described further provided with a threaded portion adapted to engage the threaded portion of a body member so as to allow longitudinal movement of the body member to-press piercing means carried by the body member through the container wall.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide such a 'fluid charge dispenser with anular resilient sealing means surrounding the piercing means to effect a seal between the container wall surrounding the perforation madeby the piercing means and the body member with the sealing pressure being obtained from the body mem- 2 the container, such sealing pressure thereby being proportional to the force provided for piercing.

A further object of the invention is to provide a fluid charge dispenser having a body member provided with a passage communicating with the container perforation through the piercing means and the discharge tube through a measuring reservoir member, such passage having a valve means for alternatively opening and closing the same as desired.

A yet further object of the invention is to provide a fluid charge dispenser having a new and improved measuring reservoir means provided with a passage communicating between the body member passage and the discharge tubing connected thereto, said reservoir passage being provided with an injection tube adapted to conduct the fluid circuitously from the body member passage to the discharge tube.

A still further object of the invention is to provide such a reservoir means adapted for the ready removable sealing engagement of a measuring container with said injection tubing distributing the fluid from the body member centrally of the attached measuring container.

Other features and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational View of a fluid charge dispenser embodying the invention, mounted on a fluid container;

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevational view, slightly enlarged, of the fluid charge dispenser; and

Fig. 3- is a sectional view taken approximately along the lines 33 of Fig. 2.

Referring now to the drawings and, in particular, to Fig. 1, my fluid charge dispenser comprises a hollow body member 10 having attaching means 15 at one end by which it is adapted to be removably secured onto a hermetically sealed pressurized fluid container 40. Disposed centrally of the body member is a valve means 20 which serves to separate the quantity of fluid to be dispensed from the portion of the fluid in the container, as will be made more clear hereinafter. A measuring reservoir 25 is threadedly secured to the other end of the body member and is provided with a discharge tube 26 which is adapted to be connected through a discharge duct to any suitable discharge control means (not shown). Interposed between the body member and the fluid container are piercing element 30 and sealing means 35 adapted to perforate the container and conduct the fluid from the container to the body memben When the body member is advanced by threading it 1 through the attaching means or clamp 15, the piercing ber as it advances to press the piercing member through element 30 is pressed against and through the portionof the container adjacent that part to which means 15 is attached. Fluid may then flow to the body member and thence to the measuring reservoir 25 with the chamberizing means positioned to allow this flow. Means 20 is then placed in a closed position, to separate that portion of the fluid in the measuring reservoir from the fluid in the container and the measured amount between the valve means and the discharge means may then be discharged. More specifically, where the fluid being dispensed is a liquid, one method of utilizing the disclosed structure is as follows. The container with the piercing element inserted thereinto as described above, is inverted and liquid from the container is allowed to pass through the opened valve means 20 into measuring reservoir 25. When the reservoir has been filled, valve means 20 is closed to separate the body of liquid in-the measuring reservoir and downstream of the valve means from the body of liquid in the container. The body of liquid downstream of the valve means 20 is then arranged to be discharged through tube 26 by returning the container with the fluid discharge dispenser thereon to an upright position. The specific structure and functioning of the dispenser components to provide this operation will be made more clear hereinafter.

Body member comprises a generally cylindrical member having a longitudinally extending bore 11 terminating at one end in a cylindrical recess 11a and at the opposite end in a cylindrical recess 11b, each of said recesses having a diameter slightly greater than that of the bore 11. At the end having recess 11a, body member 10 terminates in a radially extending, sealing means contacting surface 10a and is provided with an angularly flared portion 11a for improved sealing means engagement. End 12 is threaded exteriorly of the body member and concentrically of the recess 11a. The opposite body member end 13 concentrically surrounding recess 11b, is similarly externally threaded.

Intermediate the threaded ends 12 and 13 the body member is provided with a radially projecting boss 14 havinga longitudinal threaded bore 14a provided with a threaded portion 14b. Boss 14 is further provided with external threads 14b. Adjacent boss 14, the body member ispro-vided with wrench contacting flat surfaces 10b.

Container securing clamp 15 comprises a cup-shaped member having a longitudinally extending interiorly threaded end 15a adapted for threadedly engaging body member end 12. Depending angularly outwardly from clamp end 15a is a frusto-conical portion 15b terminating in a semi-cylindrical flange 150 having a radially inwardly projecting rib 15c. The longitudinal length of the flange 15c is suflicient to allow placement thereof against a standard container lip 41 with therib 15c abutting the lower portion of the lip and the frusto-conical portion clearing the upper portion of the lip.

Adjacent each of its ends, flange 15c is provided with a bail securing hole 150'. A generally semi-cylindrical bail 16 is provided having a radially inwardly extending stud 16a adjacent each of its ends loosely received in holes 150" for pivotal motion of the bail. Peripherally, intermediate the studs, the bail is provided with a radially inwardly projecting button 16b adapted to press against a portion of the container lip when the bail is pivoted to a position normal to the longitudinal axis of the clamp. A radially outwardly projecting flange 16c is provided on the bail adjacent the button for ready manual manipulation of the bail.

Piercing element comprises a generally tubular member and is received in 'body member recess 11a with a force fit. Thelength of element 30 is made considerably greater than the recess length, thereby allowing it to project longitudinally from the recess and toward the container wall portion 42 adjacent the container lip 41 to which the dispenser is secured. At the outer end, the piercing member is provided with an inwardly flared surface 30a forming a punching or piercing edge 30a adapted to cause perforation of the container wall when the piercing element is forcibly prmsed against it and allow pressurized fluid to pass through the element 30 into the passage 11.

As the flared surface 30a.may not have perfect sealing engagement with the edges of the perforation formed in the container Wall, sealing means .35 is provided to eifectively seal the container wall portion surrounding and in juxtaposition to the perforation, the piercing element 30 and/or the body member surface 10a. This means comprises an annular resilient washer 36 having an internal diameter substantially equal to the external diameter of the piercing element on which it is concentrically mounted. The length of the washer is comparable to the distance between surface 10a and the flared end .of the piercing element when the piercing element is fully inserted in the recess 11a. Thus, when the piercing element is forced into the .wall 42, the washer 36 will be compressed between the wall and the surface 10a so as to have sealing engagement therewith. To

provide an inward radial constriction and cause sealing engagement of the washer with the external surface of the piercing element an annular band 37 is placed concentrically on a portion of the washer. Band 37 is formed of any non-yielding material and is provided with an internal diameter equal to or slightly less than the external diameter of the washer so that forces tending to expand the washer radially will be directed inwardly against the piercing element and effectuate a seal. The washer, further, is pressed into the recess flared portion 11a to improve the seal between the piercing element, washer, and body member in this area.

As the washer is merely compressed into sealing engagement upon installation of the dispenser on the container, when the dispenser is removed for installation on a different container, the washer is reuseable to effectuate the seal on the new installation. It can be seen, at this point, that the washer also serves as a holding device, preventing a loosening rotation of the body member which would withdraw the piercing element and the sealing means causing leakage of the fluid.

To allow dispensing of the pressurized fluid in specific charges or quantities, it is necessary that a measured amount of fluid be separated from the fluid in the container and then be allowed to discharge through the normally provided discharge means. To eflectuate this separation, a valve means 20 is provided to alternatively block and open the passage of bore 11 in the body member 10. In the embodiment shown-in Fig. 2, valve means 20 comprises a vcylindrical rod member 21 extending longitudinally through threaded bore 14a of boss 14 and having a threaded portion 21a adapted for engagement therewith. Rod member 21 is provided with a flared inner end 21b adapted to abut a shoulder formed on a laterally disposed portion 110 of bore 11, to block the passage of fluid therethrough. Fixedly secured to the outer end of the rod is a handle 22 allowing manual rotation of the rod to advance or withdraw it through the threaded bore 14a. Blocking and opening of the passage 11 is effected thereby by a small movement of the rod.

Sealing means are provided to prevent leakage of the fluid from the bore 14a surrounding the rod, said means comprising a retaining nut 23 secured to external boss threads 14b, and an interiorly disposed annular packing seal 24 forced into threads 14a and against the rod member 21 so as to form an effective seal therebetween.

The measuring reservoir 25 comprises a generally cylindrical element 27 having a threaded recess 27a in one end in engagement with body member threaded portion 13. Provided in the opposite end is a recess 27b and disposed intermediate the two recesses and communicating therebetween is a passage 27c. Recess 27b is provided at its outer end with coarse threads 27b adapted for engagement with a measuring container 29 forming an outer portion of reservoir 25. Recess inner portion 27 b" is made with a diameter somewhat less than threads 27b, thereby forming a shoulder 27b'. An annular resilient gasket 27a' is provided in portion 27b abutting the shoulder 27b' and end 29a of the measuring container abuts the gasket 27d thus effecting a seal between the container and the cylindrical element.

Reservoir 25 further includes an injection tube 28 which is disposed interiorly of cylindrical element 27 and measuring container 29, having one end 28a in sealing engagement with the passage 27c and the opposite end extending into the container 29, thereby causing flow of fluid into the central portion of the measuring container. Provided in the cylindrical element communicating with the inner portion 27b" and extending radially outwardly, is a discharge outlet opening 27e. The discharge tube 26 is retained at one end in the opening 27a and extends outwardly to allow the connection thereto of suitable ducting means 43. The arrangement of the injection tube 28 vand discharge tube 26 allows the circuitous directing of the fluid flow away from the path leading directly from passage 270 to the discharge tube 26. When the fluid being dispensed is a liquid, tube 28 prevents direct flow from passage 270 to outlet 27c of a portion of the liquid during the time the liquid is passing into the measuring container 29. Thus, discharge tube 26 may be allowed to remain open at all times and liquid may be discharged therethrough only when the container is returned to its upright position subsequent to the closing of valve means 20'.

The discharge duct 43 may comprise any suitable means for transferring the fluid but generally comprises a resilient hose having a shut-oft nozzle or valve spaced at a distance from the connection to the dispenser discharge tubing 26. It can be seen that the body member passage between means 20 and recess 11b, recess 27a, passage 270 of the cylindrical element 27, the internal portion of the measuring container 29, and the passage in the discharge ducting 26 up to the shut-off means comprise a compartment having a definite determinable volume. This volume may be varied by the ready substitution of any desired capacity measuring container but will remain constant with any given measuring :container andidischarge tubing 26 so that a desired charge of pressurized gaseous fluid may be measured and dispensed from the assembly.

The dispenser unit is utilized as follows: Clamp 15 is secured to the projecting lip of a container by placing the flange 150 in juxtaposition with the lip 41 and manually pivoting the bail so as to bring the button 16b into yielding contact with the portion of the lip opposite that engaged by the shoulder. Body member and piercing element 30 are positioned prior to this attachment so that the piercing element end having the piercing edge 30a, will be slightly above the container wall. The sealing washer 36 is mounted on the piercing element and the measuring reservoir 25 is mounted on the body member. The valve means 20 is manually adjusted to the closed position.

The body member is then rotated as by a wrench engaging surfaces 10a so as to advance the threaded end 12 through clamp threaded bore a, thereby pressing the end of the piercing element against and through the container wall. Prior to the piercing of the wall, surface 10a of the body member presses the washer 36 into sealing engagement with the wall and the body member thereby efiecting a seal preventing leakage of the fluid. This pressing action will further constrict the washer so as to force it against the piercing element 30 and effect a seal therebetween.

Fluid may now pass through the bore of the piercing element and into the lower portion of passage 11. As discussed above, where the fluid is a liquid, inversion of the container and dispenser thereon effects this delivery of the liquid. As the valve means rod member 21 has closed the passage, the fluid will be retained therein.

When the fluid being dispersed is gaseous, the discharge duct is attached to the discharge tube 26 with the discharge duct control means closed. Valve means is then operated to allow fluid to flow into the measuring reservoir, therethrough, and up to the discharge duct control means. The valve means is then operated to close the body member passage, thereby compartmentalizing a measured charge of the pressurized fluid. This charge may then be dispensed through the discharge duct by opening the duct control means and the above described cycle continuously repeated until fluid pressure in container 40 is exhausted.

Where the fluid being dispensed is a liquid, the container and dispenser thereon are inverted so that measuring container 29 is below the container 40. Valve means 20 is opened and liquid is allowed to flow from the container through body member 10 and into the measuring container. When the measuring reservoir is filled to the desired extent, valve means 20 is closed to separate the body of liquid in the measuring reservoir from the body of liquid in the container. The container and dispensing device thereon are then returned to the upright position (wherein measuring container 29 is above container 40) whereupon substantially the entire measured quantity of liquid in the measuring reservoir passes outwardly through outlet opening 27a and duct 26 to be dispensed as desired. It should be noted that when the device is utilized for dispensing liquids, the amount of liquid dispensed is very accurately controlled by observation of the level thereof in the measuring container 29 and it is unnecessary to effect a closure of the outer end of the discharge means during the time that the measuring container 29 is being filled.

The piercing element is preferably formed of hard material such as steel to provide a lasting cutting edge. The washers and gaskets may be of rubber although special compositions may be used when required by the nature of the fluid being dispensed. The measuring container may be of transparent material such as glass to allow viewing of the fluid, if desired, although a container of any material having suflicient strength to retain the fluid may be used where the fluid to be dispensed is gaseous. The body member, clamp, chamberizing means, and cylindrical element may be of any suitable material having suflicient strength and corrosion resistance for containing and dispensing the pressurized fluid.

While I have shown and described certain embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that it is capable of many modifications. Changes, therefore, in the construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A fluid charge dispenser of the character described, comprising: a body member with a bore therethrough; means for mounting the body member on a container, arranged for moving the body member toward and away from the container; a tubular piercing element fixed on the body member, communicating interiorly with the body member bore, and having an outer piercing edge adapted to be disposed between the body member and the container so that movement of the body member toward the container will cause the piercing edge to pierce the container and allow fluid contained therein to flow through the piercing element and into the body member bore; means communicating with the bore for measuring a quantity of fluid passed through the bore; and means for discharging the measured quantity of fluid from said last named means.

2. A fluid charge dispenser for use with a fluid container having an external lip portion, comprising: a body member with a bore therethrough; a securing clamp having means for moving the body member toward and from the container and provided with a flange adapted to engage a portion of the container lip and hail means adapted to press against another portion of the lip to urge the flange into holding contact with the lip; a tubular piercing element fixed on the body member, communicating interiorly with the body member here, and having an outer piercing edge adapted to be disposed between the body member and the container so that movement of the body member toward the container will cause the piercing edge to pierce the container and allow fluid contained therein to flow through the piercing element and into the body member bore; means communicating with the bore for measuring a quantity of fluid passed through the bore; and means for discharging the measured quantity of fluid from said last named means.

3. The fluid charge dispenser of claim 2 wherein the body member is provided with an exteriorly threaded end and the securing clamp is provided with a mating interiorly threaded end whereby movement of the body member toward and away from the container is etfected by rotation of the body member within the clamp.

4. A fluid charge dispenser of the character described, for use with a container having a projecting lip and containing fluid under pressure, comprising: a body member with a bore therethrough and having an exteriorly threaded end; a securing clamp for mounting the body member on the container lip and having aninteriorly threaded end in engagement with the threaded end of the body member, and a flange and a bail for securing the clamp to the container lip; a tubular piercing element carried on the body member, communicating interiorly with the body member bore, and having an outer piercing edge adapted to be disposed between the body member and the container so that movement of the body member toward the container will cause the piercing edge to pierce the container and allow fluid contained therein to flow through the piercing element and into the body member bore; a sealing ring for sealing the container wall to the piercing element and the body member adapted to surround a performation made in the container by the piercing element; a measuring reservoir mounted on the body member and having a measuring container communicating with the body member bore and having a discharge outlet; and valve means for closing and opening the body member bore between the measuring reservoir and the piercing element.

5. A fluid charge dispenser of the character described, comprising: a body member with a bore therethrough; means for mounting the body member on a container, arranged for moving the body member toward and away from the container; a tubular piercing element carried on the body member, communicating interiorly with the body member bore, and having an outer piercing edge adapted to be disposed between the body member and the container so that movement of the body member toward the container will cause the piercing edge to pierce the container and allow fluid contained therein'to flow through the piercing element and into the body member bore; a measuring reservoir with a container secured to the body member and in communication with the bore therein, said container having a discharge outlet and an injection tube extending substantially into the container and away from the discharge outlet to direct the flow of fluid away from a path leading directly from the inlet to the container to the discharge outlet; and valve means to block and open the bore between the measuring reservoir andthe piercing element.

6. A liquid charge dispenser of the character described, comprising: a measuring reservoir; means for associating transferring liquid from the container into the reservoir;

valve means for separating when desired liquid in the reservoir from liquid in the container; and tube means in the reservoir for delivering the liquid from the container at a point in the reservoir spaced from one endof the reservoir and directing'the flow from. said tube at said point away from said one end, said reservoir having an outlet opening for discharging liquid therefrom at said one end and arranged to permit discharge of air from the reservoir during delivery of the liquid thereto while substantially precluding entrapment of the liquid in the air being so discharged.

7. Means'for dispensing a measured charge of pressurized fluid from a container and through a discharge duct having a valve, comprising: a body member having a passage therethrough; means for. removably attaching the body member to the container for movement of the body member toward and away from the container; a tubular piercing element carried by the body member, internally communicating with the body member passage and having an outer piercing end adapted to pierce the container when the body member and the piercing element carried thereon are moved toward the container; means removably to seal the piercing element and the body member to the container surrounding the. piercing element; a measuring reservoir carried by the body member and communicating with the passage therein; valve means for alternatively blocking and opening the body member passage between the piercing element and the measuring reservoir; and means for discharging pressurized fluid from said measuring reservoir into a discharge duct.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 927,798 Hofi July 13, 1909 1,197,941 Kingen et al. Sept. 12, 1916 1,650,210 Hasty Nov. 22, 1927 1,759,459 Murdock May 20,1930 1,938,147 Leather Dec. 5, 1933 2,091,737 Longway Aug. 31, 1937 2,120,248 Hinchman June 14, 1938 2,161,049 Horst-man June 6, 1939 2,169,142 Stebbins Aug. 8, 1939 2,203,710 Young June 11, 1940 2,705,578 Burns Apr. 5, 1955 2,728,490 Scannell et a1 Dec. 27, 1955 

